iHi all,

As I continue my research into the ideal Apple machine for running MorphOS, I've started to wonder a bit about their reliability. A friend of mine had an iBook (I think) which needed to be returned for repair early on its life. Looking at the listings of 1.67 ghz Powerbooks (my preferred choice at present), there's a large number listed as "for repair", which worries me slightly!

Annoyingly, I used to own a G4 Powermac digital audio which was rock solid, felt well-built and never once broke down, so perhaps it's a case of finding the right model?

MorphOS works on those Digital Audio machines too. I own even older Gigabit Ethernet one and use it with MorphOS. Maybe it is not that good at displaying HD movies, but still useful.

Common issues with PowerBooks:
- faulty 2nd RAM socket on 15" models, 5.6, 5.4 and older can have this issue (5.8 uses different RAM, does not have the issue and even if it did can be maxed out to 2GB with just one stick).
If the PB your buying reports 2 working sticks of any size its o.k. (and likely to stay o.k.)
- broken displays or backlights, replacing those can be bitch, so make sure it does work and doesn't flicker while opening/closing the lid (read bad cable, just as bitch to fix)
- missing keys, quite easy to spot, dead easy to fix if it's only the keycap thats missing, bid harder when the inner part is damged.

As for PMacs, I'd still go for a QS or MDD/FW800, sure the QS is limited to 1.5GB (some older models and the MDDs can take 4 512MB sticks ) but MorphOS won't see pass 1.5GB anyways, and QS do have slighly faster RAM and IDE than those older models, while not being as noisy as MDDs.

when you're talking about laptops it's more about the user's reliability, the way the user took care of a machine that is mobile by essence.
Powerbooks are very reliable unless it was used b y a violent pig.


[ Edited by SoundSquare 30.08.2013 - 11:38 ]

Quote:

I've got a PB 5,8 and it does have this problem with the faulty 2nd RAM socket.

It worked for a while, then it started locking up whenever the machine was moved, then it just flat out refused to see any RAM stick inserted into the 2nd slot.

Now I just have 1GB in the first slot and it works fine.

The iBook is a bit less solid than the Powerbook, but I have had no issues with mine.

Of course the PowerMacs are the most reliable, but I have had one MDD power supply fail.

@Jim

Huh ??
The 12" iBook with it's thick plastic case is the by far most solid laptop I ever put my hands on, actually I go as far as saying that apart from special outdoor/rugged/military laptops you'd have a hard time coming up with anything more solid.

Mind you the small size does help a bit here, when compared to 15 or 17" PBs.


@intuition
Well one never stops to learn..... but you could still get around with just one 2GB stick.

Kronos,
Quote:

I'm just not impressed with the keyboard.

Then again, can I complain about a $70 laptop?